Compound hydraulic motor for molding presses



J. HALLER COMPOUND HYDRAULIC MOTOR FOR MOLDING PRESSES Filed' May 18, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 (ttomegs Sept. 8, 1953 J. HALLER COMPOUND HYDRAULIC MOTOR FOR MOLDING PRESSES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1949 Sept. 8, 1953 J. HALLER COMPOUND HYDRAULIC MOTOR FOR MOLDING PRESSES 6. Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 18, 1949 Gttomegs Sept. 8, 1953 J. HALLER COMPOND HYDRAULIC MOTOR FOR MOLDING PRESSES Filed May 18, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 8, 1953 J. HALLER COMPOUND HYDRAULIC MOTOR FORMOLDING PRESSES e sheets-sheet 5' Filed May 18, 1949 IIA.;

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Sept. 8, 1953 J. HALLER COMPOUND HYDRAULIC MOTOR FOR MOLDING PRESSES Filed May 18, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 U foi/2% Patented Sept. 8, 1953 UNITED COMPOUND HYDRAULIC MOTOR FOR MOLDING PRESSES John Haller, Northville, Mich.

Application May 18, 1949, Serial No. 93,936

(Cl. Gil-9,7)

4 Claims.

This invention relates to moldingl presses and processes and, in particular, to powdered metal molding presses and processes.

One object of this invention is to provide a molding press for making elongated powdered metal workpieces wherein compensation is provided for the friction arising between the powdered metal and the wall of the die cavity which otherwise causes a lower density to be obtained in the middle of the bushing than near the ends thereof..

Another object is to provide la molding press for making elongated powdered metal workpieces wherein a floating table is provided for supporting the die, this floating table being yieldably supported, as by fluid pressure cylinders and pistons, so that it may be backed off away from the molding plunger at any desired pressure.

Another object is to provide a molding press for making elongated powdered metal work- 'l pieces of the foregoing character wherein a pressure responsive releasing device is provided which permits the floating table to yield in a direction away from the direction of motion of the molding plunger upon the attainment of a predetermined molding pressure, thereby permitting the density of the intermediate portions of the workpiece to be increased without the necessity of applying excessive molding pressures to the end portions of the workpiece and enabling a more uniform density to be obtained throughout the workpiece.

Another object is to provide a molding press for making elongated powdered metal workpieces wherein a workpiece may be molded, as desired, either to predetermined dimensions regardless of its density, or to a predetermined density, regardless of its dimensions, the density finally obtained being more uniform than that hitherto obtainable by conventional presses .and processes.

Another object is to provide a molding press for making powdered metal workpieces wherein an improved cylinder and piston unit is provided for actuating the molding plungers, so that a more precise control is obtained over the molding operation.

Another object is to provide a molding press for making powdered metal workpieces with flanges wherein the density of the ilange may, if desired, be made to a predetermined density which is different from the density of the remainder of the workpiece.

Another object is to provide a process of making powdered metal workpieces, particularly elongated workpieces, wherein the powdered material lll of the workpiece is compressed in the die cavity from opposite directions and wherein the die cavity itself is permitted to yield according to the attainment of a predetermined pressure so that the binding effect of friction on theY side walls of the die cavity is counteracted and a more uniform density obtained throughout the workpiece.

In the drawings:

Fig-ure 1 is a side elevation of a powdered metal molding press, according to one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the molding press shown in Figure 1, with the lower portion of the lower Icylinder removed; i

Figure 3 is an enlarged central vertical section through one of the fluid pressure cylinder and piston units taken along the line 3--3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged central vertical section through the central portion of the press, taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 1 and showing the oating die table;

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line 5-5 in Figure l, showing the charging apparatus and floating die table;

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line 6-6 in Figure 1, immediately above the lower tubular plunger supporting structure; y

Figure 7 is an enlarged horizontal section, taken along the line 1-1 in Figure l', immediately above the lower press platen;

Figure 8 is a cross-section taken along the line 8 8 in Figure 3, showing details of the stroke adjustment of the piston and cylinder unit;

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken along the line 9 9 in Figure 5 and showing the piston and cylinder unit for actuating the charging apparatus shown in Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic central vertical section through the die cavity showing the positions of the various plungers immediately after the charging operation but prior to the pressing operations; 1 Figure l1 is a View similar to Figure 10 but showing the lower core rod and upper tubular plunger advanced toward one another to form a tubular charge of molding powder in the die cavity;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure l1 but showing the upper tubular plunger advanced y downward to initially compress the charge;

Figure 13 is a view similar to FigureA 12 but partial compression has taken place but wherein j the upper portion of the workpiece has a greater density than the lower portion;

Figure 1'7 is a view similar to Figure 16, but showing the position of the parts after the die table has yielded and moved downward, imparting a greater density to the lower portion of the workpiece;

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 10, but showingv the position of the parts preparatory to molding aflanged workpiece, immediately after the charging operation;

Figure 19 is a view similar-to Figure 18, but showing the core rod and upper plungers advanced toward one another to close the die cavity in a manner analogous to Figure 11;

Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 19, but showing the outer and inner upper tubular plungersy advanced downward to compress the upper portion of the workpiece, together with its flange, in a manner analogous to Figure 12; Figure 21 is aview similar to Figure 20, but showing the die table moved downward, further compressing the lower portion of the workpiece and making its density more uniform in a manner analogous to Figure 13;

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21, but showing the upperY tubular plungers retracted to permit ejection of the molded workpiece, in a manner analogous to Figure 14;

Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 22, but showing the lower tubular plunger advanced upwardto eject the molded workpiece in a manner analogous to Figure 15; and

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the flanged powdered metal workpiece produced by the press and process of this invention.

General tirramyement Hitherto, in the molding of, powdered metal workpieces it has been difficult to obtain a uniform density or even a satisfactory density throughout the. workpiece, especially if the workpiece iselongatecl. If the molding is accomplished vby a plunger entering the die cavity from one direction only, the plunger moves only a short distance into the cavity before the engagement of the powdered metal particles with the side walls of the cavity sets up so much friction as to greatly impede the progress of the plunger and reduce the force actually transmitted to the particles in the center of the die cavity. As a consequence, the portions of the workpiece nearest the mouth of the die cavity receive the greatest density whereas those at a considerable distancefrom the mouth of the cavity receive an unsatisfactorily light density.`

In my co-pending application, Serial No. r180,851, filed October 20, 1947 for Briquetting Machine, on which U. S. Patent No. 2,608,826 was issued September 2, 1952, there is disclosed and claimed a molding press which solves this problem for workpieces of ordinary density or for workpieces which are notrof excessive length.

In the molding press disclosed in this prior application, the die cavity is open at its opposite ends and is provided with plungers entering the die cavity through these opposite ends and moving in opposite directions toward the central portion of the die cavity. Where the workpiece to be molded is greatly elongated, or where an unusually high or uniform density is desired, prior molding presses and processes have been frequently found inadequate, and this inadequacy resulted in the invention of the present molding press and process of molding powdered metal articles.

In general, the molding press of the present invention consists of a frame having reciprocating hydraulic motors mounted at its opposite ends for motion toward one another. The word hydraulic as used herein is not to be restricted to its narrow meaning of water alone, but is to be understood as to apply to oil or any other pressure fluid used in molding presses. The motors just mentioned are connected to platens which in turn carry molding plungers. The molding plungers are adapted to enter the die cavity or bore of a die which is carried by a reciprocable table. The table in turn is yieldably supported by fluid pressure operated mechanism in such a manner as to be yieldable upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure. In this manner, when one of the molding plungers has penetrated a certain distance into the die cavity and in compressing the powdered metal has set up a given amount of resistance by the friction of the powdered metal with the wall of the die cavity, the table carrying the die is permitted to yield, causing the force to be transmitted onward to a portion of the die cavity more remote from the mouth thereof and consequently building up the density of the molded workpiece in that more remote region. Thus, the workpiece becomes progressively denser in portions more remote from the mouth of the die cavity as the table is permitted to yield, until the entire workpiece is compressed. The yielding of the table and the consequent reduction of the binding effect of friction of the metal particles on the die cavity side walls impart a more uniform density to the workpiece at locations remote from the mouth or mouths of the die cavity.

In the process of molding powdered metal workpieces according to the present invention, the powdered metal charge in the die cavity is subjected to an initial compression until the resistance reaches a predetermined force, whereupon the die cavity itself is permitted to yield and move relatively to the force applying member, causing the compression to be accomplished in successive stages and a more uniform density to be obtained in the molded workpiece.

General construction of molding press Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure l shows an improved molding press, generally designated l0, according to a preferred form. of the invention, as consisting generally of a frame l! having at its opposite ends heads l2 and i3 upon which are mounted oppositely reciprocating hydraulic motors or rams i4 and l5 respectively connected to uppei` and lower platens i6 and l1 which are reciprocable along the strain rods I5. Also mounted upon the strain rods i8 between the upper and lower platens i6 and ll is a floating die table unit generally designated i9. Each strain rod I8 is provided with a large diameter portion 20 and with successively reduced diameter portions 2| and 22. Each strain rod I8 is provided with an annular shoulder 23 between the large diameter porti-on 20 and the intermediate diameter portion 2|, and with a second annular shoulder 24 between the intermediate diameter portion 2| and the small diameter portion 22. The floating table :unit I9, described in more detail below, rests upon the lower shoulders 23. The upper small diameter portions 22 of the strain rods I8 are provided with tubular spacers 25 arranged between the table unit I9 and the upper press head I2 and having enlargements 25a resting upon the shoulders 24 (Figure 4). The strain rods I8 are threaded at their opposite ends to receive nuts 26 by which the frame II is held in assembly. The table unit I9 is provided with a die cavity charging device, generally designated 21.

Reciprocable fluid pressure motor construction The reciprocable fluid pressure motors |4 and I at the upper and lower ends of the molding press I6, together with their platens I6 and I1, are of similar construction, hence a single description will suice f-or both. The upper motor |4 is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 8, with its platen I6 also shown in vertical section in Figure 4.

The head I2 or I3 is provided with an aperture 28 into which the reduced diameter portion 29 of the outer cylinder 30 ts, the cylinder 36 having a flange 3| held in engagement with the inner side of the press head I2 or I3 by bolts`32. The cylinder 36 is provided with a bore 33 in which an outer hollow piston 34 reciprocates. The piston 34 passes through a throat 35 in the end wall 36 of the cylinder 30 and leakage around it is prevented by a packing 31 compressed by an annular gland 36 secured to the flanged portion 3| of the cylinder 30 by the screws'40. The

upper end of the cylinder bore 33 is closed by an outer cylinder head 4|, and ports `42 and 43 in the cylinder head 4| and cylinder 30 respectively open into opposite ends of thecylinder bore 33 onk opposite sides of the piston head 44 of the piston 34. Pipes 45 and 46 threaded into the ports 42 and 43 serve toV admit and discharge pressure uid from the cylinder bore 33 so as to reciprocate the outer piston 34. The pipes 45 and 46 are connected to a conventional hydraulic circuit operating the press VIll. Such circuits are well-known to hydraulic engineers and contain. the usual pumps and valves for generating and distributing pressure uid. The details of such circuits form no part of the present invention, and any convenient circuit may be used.

The lower end wall 41 of the piston 34 is provided with a threaded bore 48 into which is threaded a hollow screw shaft 49 for adjustment purposes', a threaded lock nut or collar 50 Abeing threaded upon the screw shaft 49 adjacent the end wall 41 of the piston 34. 'I'he hollow shaft 49 is provided with an internal bore 5I extending from one end to the other and at its lower end the shaft 49 is provided with an enlargement or ange 52 which fits into a socket 53 rin a cupshaped member 54 and is held therein by a vretaining ring 55 and retaining screws 56. The retaining ring 55 and cup-shaped member 54 are bored for the passage of the retaining screws 56 which are thread-ed into threaded holes 51 in the platen I6 or I1, as the case may be. Thereupshaped member 54, in turn, iits into a socket 58 in the platen I6 or I1 and is held therein by the same retaining screws 56. The enlargement or flange 52 on the lower end of the hollow shaft 49 is rotatable within the socket 53 and for this purpose the hollow shaft 49 is provided with diametrically opposite holes 59 into which the ends of a spanner or other suitable wrench (not shown) may be inserted in order to rotate the shaft 49 to thread it into and out of the bore 48 (Figure 3).

Mounted on the lower or inner side of the .platen I6 or I1 is an annular member 66 and a spacing ring 6I, both being secured to the platen I6by screws 62, the member 6I being bored to receive the screws 62 and the latter being threaded into threaded holes 63 in the platen I6 or I1. The annular member is provided with a socket 64 into which is tted the correspondingly shaped enlargement 65 on the outer or upper end of a tubular molding plunger 66 having a bore 61 extending lengthwise therethrough and terminating v in a reduced diameter bore 68 (Figure 4) at its inner end 69. Also threaded into a threaded bore 10 in the platen I6 or I1 is a threaded stop 1| (Figure 4) which is secured in its adjusted position by a lock nut 12. The stop 1I is engageable with a plug 13 which is inserted in a socket 14 in the table unit I9.

The hollow outer piston -34 is provided with a bore 1.5 (Figure 3) into which a tubular stem 16 ts. The tubular stem 16 extends downward from the cylinder head 4| and forms a par-t thereof. A packing 11 held in position by an annular gland 18 through the screws 19 prevents leakage between the stem 16 and the hollow piston 34 when the latter reciprocates. The stem 16 is provided with a bore 80 in which reciprocates a compound adjustable stroke piston, generally designated 8|.

The Vadjustable stroke piston 8| includes a piston rod 82 having a `bore-or cavity 83 therein. The lower end of the piston rod 82 extends downward through the bore 5| and at its lower end is provided with a threaded socket 84 for receivingk the threaded-upper end of a plunger or core rod (not shown) when conditions demand its use. The piston rod 82 passes through a bore 85 in the lower end of the stem 16and a packingr 86 and gland 81 are held in place by screws 88 to prevent leakage. In order to prevent rotation of the pist-on rod 82, a key 89 or the like is provided and t-s into `a groove or keyway 90 in the stem 16. The upper end of the piston rod 82 carries a piston head 9| beneath which a lpair of ports 92 open into the bo-re 93 in the piston rod 8-2.

Threaded into a counterbore 94 in the piston head 9| is a hollow threaded shaft 95 (Figure 3), the upper end of which carries a piston head 96 for-ming the other half of the compound adjustable stroke piston 8|. In order to rotate the hollow threaded shaft -95 so as to move the piston head halves 9| and 196 toward or away from one another, the head half 96 is provided with a bore 91 of approximately square crosssection (Figure 8) through which passes a correspondingly squared shaft 98 having a hollow bore orf passageway 919 extending lengthwise therethrough and terminating in a cross passage or ports |00 near its upper end. The hollow shaft 98 passes downward through a bore |0I from whichit is spaced radially so as to provide a uid passageway :and clearance, and at its lower end is threaded to receive a bearing collar |02. The extreme lower end of the shaft 98 is reduced in diameter as at |03 and through it the passageway 99 opens into the boreA 83. The bearing collar |02 rotatably as well as sldably engages the bore and serves-assupportfor the lower 'end of the squared shaft- 98. VThe upper end of the squared shaft.99 is provided with an annular enlargement|04 which fits-.into a socket |05 so as to be rotatable therein, the socket |05 being provided in an inner cylinder head |06'. The latter is secured by screws |91 to the outer cylinder head 4| and has a reduced diameter portion |08 fitting into the upperl end of the-bore 80. A port |09 communicates with the upper end of vthe bore 80 and is threaded to receive apipe ||0 for-supplying pressure iluid thereto. A passageway through the upper or outer piston headhalf 396 provides drainage for fluid which may collect between the two head halves 9| and 96. The enlarged portion-'|0401E the hollow shaft 98 is held in position by a retaining ring ||2 which is secured theretoby screws I I3, and -a hand wheel H4 is mounted' on the upperend `of the'shaft 98. The inner cylinder head |06 is provided with an annular chamber I5 into which a. port ||6 opens. Threaded into the port ||6 isa pipe ||1 for admitting or withdrawing `pressure-fini Molding plunger construction As previously stated, the lower reciprocable hydraulic motor |5 is simil-ar in construction to the upper hydraulic motor |4 up to and including its platen |'1 corresponding to the platen I6 of the motor |4. Mounted on the lower platen I1, however, is a plunger supporting structure, generally designated (Figures 4, 6 and '1) The structure |20 -consists of a rectangular base plate |2| secured as by the screws |22 to the platen I1 (Figure 6). Mounted approximately adjacent the four corners of the rectangular base plate |2| and rising therefrom are four uprights I 23 of angle or L-shaped cross-section and tapering in an upward direction (Figures 1 and 2). Secured as by welding to the tops of the uprights |23 isa platform |24-having 4a central aperture |25 with a slot |26 extending intothe aperture |25 from the edge of the platform |24. Secured as by screws |21 to the platform |24 is a circular block |28 having a central bore |29 (Figure 4) coaxial with the bore |25 and opening into an enlarged counterbore l|30 beneath the bore |29. Secured within the counterbore |30 and restingupon the upper 'surface I 3| of the platform |24 is the enlarged base |32 of the lower outer tubular plunger |33 which rises through the bore |29 and at its upper end |34 enters the bottom of the die cavity |35V in a die |36, as described below. The tubular plunger |33 is provided with a longitudinal bore |31 (Figure 4) through which the lower inner plunger or core rod |33 moves upward, so that its upper end |39 likewise enters the die cavity |35. The lower end of the core rod or inner plunger |38 is threaded into an adapter |40 (Figures l and 2) and locked in position by a lock nut |4a.

Threaded into the lower end of the adapter |40 is a shank |4| carrying a head |42 which is inserted in an undercut socket |43 having a slot |44 (Figure '1) extending outward to the edge of the lower inner piston rod. In other words, the upper end of the lower piston rod 82 has an undercut socket `|43 (Figure 2), whereas the lower end of the upper inner piston rod 82 has a threaded socket 84 (Figure 3), the upper and lower piston rods 82 being otherwise of the same construction. In order to prevent the lower inner piston rod 82 from rotating, it is provided with a, longitudinalgroove |45 which is engagedgbyca tongue |46 on a plate |41 (Figure '1) secured;as by the screws |48 to the base plate |2I. In order to limit the rise of the lower platen I1, stop blocks |49 (Figures l, 2 and 6) are secured to the strain rods |8 on their inner edges, as by the screws |50-,

Floating table unit construction The die |36 containing the die cavity |35 is mounted in a central bore |5| in a floating'table |52 forming a part of the floating table unit |9 (Figure 4), the die |36 having an upper flange |53 tting into a corresponding counterbore |54. The table |52 (Figure 5) is of approximately rectangular outline and at its four corners is provided with bearing bosses |55 withsemi-fcylindrical bores |55` matched by corresponding semi-cylindrical bores |51 in bearing .caps |58 secured by the screws |59 to the bearingbosses |55` The bores |55, |51 surround and slidably engage the intermediate portions 2| of the strain rods |8 so as to guide the table |52 in its reciprocation upward and downward. On its underside, the table |52 is provided with an annular chamber (Figure 4) which moves up and down upon an annular piston |6I. The annular piston |61 is stationary and is secured at its lower end to inwardly extending brackets |62 which in turn are bored as at |63 to receive the intermediate strain rod portion 2| and to rest upon the shoulders 23 between the intermediate and lower portions 2| and 20. Inner and outer annular packings |64 and |65 are provided adjacent the mouth of the chamber |60 and are held in engagement with the table |52 and annular piston ISI by inner and outer clamping rings or glands |56 and |61 secured to the table |52 by the screws |68 and |59 respectively.

In order to admit or discharge uid fromrthe chamber |50, a passageway |10 is provided in the table |52 (Figure 4) leading to a threaded port |1|. Threaded into the port |1| is a pipe |12'which leads to a port |13 in the casing |14 of a pressure-regulating valve |15. The casing |14 is also provided with a bore |18 into which the port |13 opens and from which spaced threaded ports |11 and |18 also lead. Threaded into the ports |11 and |18 are pipes |19 `and |80 for the admission or discharge of pressure uld from the valve |15.

Reciprocably mounted in the bore |16 -is a piston valve member IBI having spaced heads |82 and |83 interconnected by a reduced diameter stem |84. The bore |16 at its lower end opens into a reduced diameter bore |85 in an end cap |86. The bore |85 contains a pilot piston |01 having a stop pin |88 extending downward from its lower end to the lower end of the bore |85. Extending downward from the port |13 to the lower end of the pilot piston bore |85 is a passageway |89. The upper end of the bore |16 is closed by annular members or spacers |90 and |9| surmounted by an upper end cap |92, these three members containing continuous threaded bores |93, '|94 and |95 of the same diameter and pitch. Threaded into the bores |93, |94 and |95 is a cup-shaped adjusting screw |96 within which is placed a compression spring |91,.the upper end of which engages the upper end-of the cavity within the adjusting screw |95. The lower end of the spring |91 engages the upper end of the piston valve member IBI and urges it constantly downward. Thus, the valve I8! moves up and down with the table |52 and is supported either by the pipe |12 or by any suitable bracket (not shown). In order to permit such motion while supplying and withdrawing fluid from the valve |8|, the pipes |19 and |80 may either be exible pipes or have pressure-tight elbow joints (not shown). Such arrangements are well-known in the hydraulic art and form no part of the present invention. Figures 16 and v1'1 show the upper and lower limits of motion of the table |52 and consequently of the pipe |12 and the valve |15 and the pipes |19 and |80 connected to it.

Die cavity charging device Slidably mounted upon the upper surface of theoating table |52 and die |36 is a charging spout or filler shoe 200 having a powdered material passageway 20| with a mouth 202 at the lower end adapted to slide over the mouth of the die cavity |35. Connected to the upper end of the passageway 20| is a pipe 203 leading to a supply hopper (not shown) containing the powdered metal or other powdered material to be supplied to and compressed within the die cavity |35. The spout or shoe 200 at its lower end is mounted on a reciprocating charging slide 204 in the form of a rectangular plate (Figure which is guided to and fro by parallel overhanging guide bars 205 secured to the table |52 as by the screws 206. A strengthening rib 201 extends lengthwise along the slide 204 from the rearward side of the spout or shoe 200 to a boss 208 at the rearward end of the slide. The boss 208 is bored vertically as at 209 to receive a pivot bolt 2|0 upon the lower end of which a follower roller 2|| is rotatably mounted, the upper end being secured in position by a nut 2 |2 (Figure 4) To reciprocate the charging spout 200, the roller 2|| is mounted in a cam groove 2|3 (Figures 5 and 9) located in a plate or cam slide 2|4 which in turn is provided with a dovetail rib 2|5 (Figure 4) extending downward from the lower side thereof into a corresponding dovetail slot or groove 2 I6 in an angle bracket 2 l1 secured by the screws 2|8 to the side of the table |52. In this manner, the plate or cam slide 2|4 is reciprocable in a direction at right angles to the charging slide 204.

AThe cam groove 2|3 consists of a diagonal rectilinear portion 2|9 extending obliquely across the cam slide 2|4 and terminating at one end in an undulating portion 220 which extends lengthwise along the slide 2|4. The undulating portion 220 imparts a shaking motion to the charging slide 204 and charging spout 200 in order to shake the particles of material loose from the passageway and prevent packing or adhesion at the time the spout 200 is over the die cavity |35.

In order to reciprocate the cam slide 2|4, an angle member 22| (Figure 9) is secured as at 222 to the underside of the slide 2|4 and is bored as at 223 to receive the reduced diameter end of a piston rod 2'24. A nut 225 is threaded upon the end of the piston rod 224 to secure it to the angle member 22|. The piston rod 224 passes through a bore 22E in the head 221 of a cylinder 228 and on its inner end carries a piston head 229 which is reciprocable within the cylinder bore 230. The opposite end of the cylinder 228 is closed by a cylinder head 23|. The cylinder heads 2'21 :and 23| are provided with ports 232 and 233 into which are threaded pipes 234 and 235 respectively. kThe cylinder head 23| is secured by the screw 236 to the angle bracket 2|1.

Operation Prior to the operation of the press, the various pipes previously described are connected to a conventional hydraulic circuit (not shown) including a pump and a source of suitable operating fluid, such as oil. To operate the press, the lower hydraulic motor V|5 is first actuated so as to cause the outer piston 34 thereof to .raise the lower platen I1 and plunger supporting structure |20 to the position shown in Figure 4, where the upper end |34 of the tubular plunger |33 enters the lower end of the die cavity |35. At the same time, the inner piston 9| is reciprocated to raise the top |39 of the core rod or inner plunger |38 to a position higher in the die cavity |35 than the upper end |34 of the tubular or outer plunger |33. The cavity is now ready for filling with molding material, and the parts occupy the positions shown in Figure 5 and diagrammatically in Figure 10. The floating die table |52 is also moved to its highest position, as shown in Figure 4, by supplying pressure uid to the' pipe |80.

To charge the die cavity |35 with powdered metal, such as powdered iron, a sufficient quantity of the powdered metal is placed in the hopper (not shown )above the pipe 203, falling through the latter into the charging spout or shoe 200 and lling the passageway 20| therein. Pressure fluid is now supplied kthrough Athe pipe 235 (Figure 9) to reciprocate the piston 229 and piston rod 224, thereby moving the camslide 2|4 rearwardly (Figure 5). As this occurs, the cam groove '2|3 moves rearwardly, causing the roller 2|| therein to move the slide 204 and charging spout 209 forward over the mouth of the die cavity |35. The powdered metal in the passage; way 20| of the spout 200 drops downward into the die cavity |35, filling the cavity with a charge C. As the rollerl 2|| encounters the undulating portion 220 of the cam groove l2|3, the slide 204 Iand spout 200 are shaken vigorously, dislodging particles of metal adhering to the walls of the passageway 20| and preventing any binding or clogging of the material therein.

Pressure fluid'is now admitted to the pipe 234 f and discharged from the-pipe 235 (Figure 9) to reciprocate the cam slide 2|4 forward into the position of Figure 5. This action retracts the cam slide 204 and charging spout 200 to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The lower and upper reciprocating hydraulic motors l5 and I4 are now operated to advance the core rod or inner plunger |30 upward through the die cavity |35 and at the same time yto advance the tubular plunger 66 downward until its end 69 closes the die cavity |35 and the upper end |39 of the core rod |38 enters the bore 61. This action entraps the powdered metal in the die cavity and the parts now occupy the Yposition shown diagrammatically in Figure 11.

The upper plunger 66 is now caused tomove downward in the manner shown in Figure 12, initially compressing the charge C. As the charge ,is compressed, the powdered metal particles engage the sidewall of the die cavity |35 pression, as shown by the'denser black appearance of the upper portion of the charge in Figure 16.

The floating table |52 now comes into operation to yield downward when the resistance rises beyond a predetermined pressure as determined by the adjustment of the pressure regulating valve |15. When this pressure is exceeded, the pressure uid passing into the pilot bore |85 raises the pilot piston |81 (Figure 4) and shifts the piston valve member |8| upward, overcoming the downward thrust of the spring |91. When this occurs, the upper head |82 rises sufficiently to uncover the port |11, permitting pressure fluid to escape through the discharge pipe |19which leads back to the suction side of the pump or to a reservoir as the case may be. The lower head |83, however, does not rise high enough to cut off the ports |13 and |18, but is provided merely for balancing the valve member |8|. When the valve member 18| is raised in this manner, the subsequent discharge of pressure fluid arriving through the pipe |80 and port |18 from the pump, accumulator or other source of pressure fluid, is by-passed through the valve bore |16 into the port |11, escaping through the discharge pipe |19. The excessive pressure generated by the molding procedure thus permits fluid to escape from the annular chamber |58 through the passageway |10, pipe |12 (Figure 4) and valve |15, permitting the'table' |52 to move downward. As it does so, the table |52 causes the side wall of the cavity |35 to move downward relatively to the charge C, so that the latter becomes progressively compressed to the desired density from the top to the bottom. The charge thus reaches a more nearly uniform density, as shown in Figure i7, than is possible by prior molding processes with a stationary die table.

When the charge Yhas become fully compressed and the oating die table |52 has moved downward a sunicient distance, such as is shown in Figure 17,- the lower pistons of the lower hydraulic motor l are reciprocated in opposite directions in the manner shown in Figure 15 to move the core rod or inner plunger |38 downward and at the same time to move the outer tubular plunger |33 upward, while the upper plunger 66 is retracted upward by operating the upper hydraulic motor |4. This action ejects the work-piece W formed by compressing the charge C, and clears the die cavity |35. The workpiece W is then removed and transferred to a sintering oven for further operation. The lower plungers |33 and |38 are then moved downward to the position of Figure 4, and the table |52 moved upward to its raised position shown in Figures 4 and 16 and the press is ready for another compression stroke by repeating the `foregoing operation.

The preferred processV of the/present invention thus consists in charging a die cavity with powdered material such as powdered metal, compressing the charge in the die cavity from opposite directions until a predetermined pressure has been attained, and moving the die cavity longitudinally away from the direction of the pressing` force. This procedure is continued until the initial density at one end of the charge is transmitted successively to the remainderA of the charge, whereupon the workpiece thus Vmolded is ejected from the die cavity.

I2 Modified processfof .making flanged powdered metal workpieces Figures 18 to 23 inclusive illustrate the successive stages of making a flanged workpiece W' (Figure 24). This'modiiied process employs the same molding press as the process previously described, except that the upper tubular plunger 66 is replaced by an outer tubular plunger 240 having a lower'end 24| and a straight cylindrical bore 242 in which an inner tubular plunger 243 with a lower end 244 is reciproc'ab'le The vinner tubular plunger 243l has a straight cylindrical bore 245 which, like the corresponding bore 68 of Figure 4, receives'theupperY end of the inner lower plunger or core rod |38. The-outer tubular plunger |33 and' the die |36 remain the same in Figure 18, but the'. die cavity 246' is provided'with a counterbore or enlargement 241 at its upper 'end or mouth 'for forming theiiange F on the workpiece; The outer upper tubular plungerV 248 vis mounted in the same manner as the tubular plunger 66 and is provided with an annular enlargement or head 248 (Figure-.19) similar to the enlargement 55 on the upper tubular plunger 65 (Figures 3 and 4) The inner tubular plunger 243, however, is threaded at'its upper end into the socket 84 described in connection lwith Figures 3 and 4.

In the operation of the' molding press I8 to produce a anged workpiece W', the die cavity 246`is filled with a charge C of powdered metal in the manner previously described in connection with Figure 4, with thetable |52'and the lower outer and inner plungers V|33 and |38 occupying the same relative positions. After the charging spout or shoe 2013 'has delivered a charge Cl to the die cavity 246 and hasbeen retracted in the manner previously described, the outer upper tubular plunger 240 descends until f its lower end 24| is substantially flush with the upper surface of the die |36'and the lower inner plunger |38 is caused to rise in the manner shown in Figure `19, `pushing the surplus powdered metal ahead-of it. The upper outer and inner tubular plungers-240 and 243 are then caused to descend to the positions shown in Figure 20, compressing the charge C. Due to the friction arising between the metal particles andthe side wall of the die cavity 246, however, the upper portion of the workpiece will be compressedto a greater density than the intermediate portion, as indicated by the moreden'sely stippledarea' in the upper'por tion of the workpiece in Figure 20.

Meanwhile, the upper platen |6 has descended until the stop 'H-engages the plug 13,' whereupon further-downward motion of the upper platen V| 6' causes the die |38 and fioating table |52 to be pushed downward in the manner 'previously described, thereby progressively compressing the remainder of the charge to a greater density, as indicated by the density stippled area in Figure 21. The upper platen IB together with the upper outer and inner tubular plungers 248 and 243 are then retracted upward to the position of Figure 22, leaving the workpiece W ready` to be ejected.- Ejection is then accomplished by advancing the lower platen I1 upward in the same way described in connection with Figure 4, while leaving the innerplunger or core rod |38 stationary, as shown in Figure 23. piece W oif the core rod |38 and at the same time raises the workpiece W to the level :of the upper surface of the die |36. The workpiece may then Vbe removed, whereupon the movingv partsA This action strips the work-v are returned to their positions shown in Figure 18 and the die cavity again recharged with powdered metal in the previously described manner in order to mold another workpiece W.

What I claim is:

1. A compound hydraulic motor lcomprising an outer hydraulic cylinder having an outer bore with axially-spaced fluid passageways communicating therewith, said outer cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof, a hollow outer piston reciprocably mounted in said outer bore and having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore, an outer piston rod connected to said outer piston and extending externally of said outer cylinder, an inner hydraulic cylinder extending from the exterior of said outer cylinder -inwardly through said outer cylinder aperture into sliding engagement with said outer piston bore, said inner cylinder having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore and said outer piston bore, said inner cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof and having axially-spaced iluid passageways communicating with said inner cylinder bore, a compound inner piston reciprocably mounted in said inner cylinder bore and having a pair of relatively movable heads connected to one another and separable axially from one another, and mechanism extending from the exterior of said inner cylinder through said inner cylinder aperture and operatively engaging and adjustably moving one of said heads relatively to the other head.

2. A compound hydraulic motor comprising an outer hydraulic cylinder having an outer bore with axially-spaced fluid passageways communicating therewith, said outer cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof, a hollow outer piston reciprocably mounted in said outer bore and having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore, an outer piston rod connected to said outer piston and extending externallyof said outer cylinder, an inner hydraulic cylinder extending from the exterior of said outer cylinder inwardly through said outer cylinder aperture into sliding engagement with said outer piston bore, said inner cylinder having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore and said outer piston bore, said inner cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof and having axially-spaced fluid passageways communicating with said inner cylinder bore, a compound inner piston reciprocably mounted in said inner cylinder bore and having a pair of relatively movable heads connected to one another and separable axially from one another, one of said heads having a threaded stem and the other head having a threaded hole threadedly receiving said stem, and mechanism extending from the exterior of said inner cylinder through said inner cylinder aperture and operatively engaging and adjustably moving one of said heads relatively to the other head.

3. A compound hydraulic motor comprising an outer hydraulic cylinder having an outer bore with axially-spaced fluid passageways communicating therewith, said outer cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof, a hollow outer piston reciprocably mounted in said outer bore and having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore, an outer piston rod connected to said outer piston and extending externally of said outer cylinder, an inner hydraulic cylinder extending from the exterior of said outer cylinder inwardly through said outer cylinder aperture into sliding engagement with said outer piston bore, said inner cylinder having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore and said outer piston bore, said .inner cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof and having axially-spaced fluid passageways communicating with said Iinner cylinder bore, a compound inner piston reciprocably mounted in said inner cylinder bore and having a pair of relatively movable heads connected to one another and separable axially from one another, and mechanism extending from the exterior of said inner cylinder through said inner cylinder aperture and operatively engaging and fadjustably moving one of said heads relatively to the other head, said outer piston having a threaded aperture therein and a threaded piston rod threadedly engaging said aperture and extending externally of said outer cylinder.

4. A compound hydraulic motor comprising an outer hydraulic cylinder having an outer bore with axially-spaced fluid passageways communicating therewith, said outer cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof, a hollow outer piston reciprocably mounted in said outer bore and having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore, an outer piston rod connected to said outer piston and extending externally of said outer cylinder, an inner hydraulic cylinder extending from the exterior of said outer cylinder inwardly through said outer cylinder aperture into sliding engagement with said outer piston bore, said inner cylinder having a bore therein coaxial with said outer cylinder bore and said outer piston bore, said inner cylinder having an aperture in one end thereof and having axially-spaced fluid passageways communicating with said inner cylinder bore, a compound inner piston reciprocably mounted in said inner cylinder bore and having a pair of relatively movable heads connected to one another and separable axially Yfrom one another, one of said heads having a threaded stem and the other head having a threaded hole threadedly receiving said stem, and mechanism including a shaft drivingly and axially slidably engaging one of said heads, said shaft extending from the exterior of said inner cylinder through said inner cylinder aperture and operatively engaging and adjustably moving one of said heads relatively to the other head.

JOHN HALLER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,766,265 Smith June 24, 1930 1,806,300 Lemming May 19, 1931 1,820,235 Lemming Aug. 25, 1931 1,974,214 Glasner Sept. 18, 1934 2,398,227 Hubbert Apr. 9, 1946 2,433,654 Dinzl Dec. 30, 1947 2,449,008` Pecker Sept. 7, 1948 2,608,826 Haller Sept. 2, 1952 

